End of two strokes???

Northern Tim · 02 May 2006, 08:37

Hi guys,

I keep hearing that the importation of 2-stroke engines into the UK will stop in 2007. Is this true or will it just be the ones that have poorer emissions (eg the premix versions)?

I've been looking for an engine for about 6 weeks now and I'm getting frustrated. I have £1000 waiting for a used 30hp, but can't find one - tried boatsandoutboards, ebay, phoned everywhere I can think of. I'm wondering whether to stick my neck out, and spend about £1800 on a new Tohatsu instead.

My thinking (or possibly self justification):
If new two strokes won't be available next year, should I get one whilst I have the chance? I don't want a 4-stroke due to te increased weight, and I'm thinking that many people will still want 2-strokes, so a new 2-stroke should hold it's value better. What do you think?

Tim

PS If anyone has a 30hp, standard shaft, remotes, late 90s onwards, please drop me a line!

jwalker · 02 May 2006, 08:45

Tim, if you can afford new, it's a whole lot better experience.

Northern Tim · 02 May 2006, 08:54

Yes, I know.

It's between a used 30hp 3 cylinder Suzuki (late 90s) for £750 plus I need new steering + fitting, so totals £1000ish

or

New Tohatsu 2-cylinder 30hp for £1550 and I still need new steering, so about £1800.

Hmm...

Tim.

jwalker · 02 May 2006, 09:00

A 7-8yr old engine or a new one for £800 more.

No brainer.

Northern Tim · 02 May 2006, 09:06

Ok, Ok - but I'm a skint youthworker with only a little boat!

I'm obviously trying to self-justify spending the extra money - good job I ain't married eh?

Tim.

jwalker · 02 May 2006, 10:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by Northern Tim

...- good job I ain't married eh?

nyx2k · 02 May 2006, 10:08

if you have the money or can easily afford to pay it back then id always go for new.. you dont need to justify anything..its your money ,you earned it and you have no wife moaning she's not getting a new bedroom suite..

regards nick

codprawn · 02 May 2006, 13:19

Spotted a serious bargain in our local free ads.

Tohatsu 40hp only few months only used 6 times for I think £1400. If you are intereested will look at the paper again - may be too far for you though - Bridgend I think.

Went to their webpage but couldn't find it - plenty of other bargains though.

http://www.adtrader.co.uk/

SUZUKI 65hp OUTBOARD MOTOR 1996 model, 2 stroke, longshaft, e/start, oil inj, power trim/tilt, reliable, good runner, good cond, £1000. (Bridgend).

Two 1999 Two Stroke Oil Injected Mariner 60 hp outboard engines. Power Tilt/ Trim. All Sensible Offers considered around £1800

Great place to look for boat stuff - Land Rovers etc etc.

Cookee · 03 May 2006, 07:31

Northern Tim - Just to clarify a couple of points in case anyone is confused - Conventional carburettor 2 strokes are being banned, but the newer Direct injection 2 strokes are not, so Mercury Optimax and Evinrude E-tec engines are fine! In some cases these engines have better emissions that some 4 strokes!

Northern Tim · 03 May 2006, 09:22

Thanks Cookee for sorting that one out!

Codders, thanks for those. Unfortunately, they're all a bit too big. I've got a 25hp on at the moment. Because of the age of the hull, there's no plate on the transom so I don't know what it's rated for - I don't want to push it too far. I've been offered a brand new Mariner Marathon 25hp which can be uprated to 30hp for £1400 + £200 for remotes. This is looking like my best option at the moment.

Cheers guys,
Tim

ADS · 03 May 2006, 11:14

Tohatsu, smooth reliable power, got a 70hp

codprawn · 03 May 2006, 12:20

What about the tohatsu 40hp - I think it is the same block as the 30.

Northern Tim · 03 May 2006, 16:20

Nice thought Codders, but looking at tohatsu.uk.com unfortunately it's the 25 and 30 that share the same block. The 40 is 59kg as opposed to 46kg for the 30 or 25.

Anybody know if a Yamaha autolube 25 can be uprated to a 30 in a similar way to the mariner 25? I'm thinking that if the jets were drilled out on the Yamaha it would probably upset the oil injection.

Tim.

ADS · 03 May 2006, 16:37

This is the best place for Tohatsu:

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/TOHATSU-SHOP

http://www.boatsandoutboards.co.uk/broker/EML001/8

Northern Tim · 05 May 2006, 14:02

Cheers guys for all your suggestions.
I was seriously considering a 30 Tohatsu until I realised it was going to need some major modifications to the transom.

I've now ordered a brand new Mariner 25, which will be uprated to 30 at the 10 hour service if I want. £1375 - bargain! I'm also getting new remotes and new steering.

Getting a bit excited now - just hoping for some decent weather in a week or so!

Tim.

Easyrider · 19 May 2006, 23:53

The Mariner Marathon 25 and 30 are actually Mariner badged Tohatsu's-I wouldnt bother waiting for the service to get the power upped,it wont do the engine any damage if its derestricted from new(providing you follow the run in procedure),as basically the 25hp version is really a restricted 30hp.
Thats a very good price youre getting it for, is it brand new?
I've got the 30 Tohatsu, and its a cracking bit of kit(i got a good deal and it cost me £1525!)
Its about 4/5 knots quicker than my friends Mariner25-both on Bombard Aerotec 380's

mike · 20 May 2006, 08:54

hi Bill Higham had a few 25/30 mariners the 25s were £1340 new

They were low frills versions ie tiller and manual lift but 2 year guarantee on them, He listed them on ebay. But it might be worth phoning him direct.

mike

Northern Tim · 20 May 2006, 16:37

I did actually go up to the scrap yard known as Bill Highams, but as always he made me feel about 6 inches tall and was quite unhelpful. He offered the engine to me at £100 more than on ebay! I went down to Shipshape Marine in Stockport instead - much better.

The engine is brand new. I'm having it hooked up on remotes - the only trouble is Mariner are out of stock of the remote attachment kits, should be arriving any day now. I'm hoping to get out on Tuesday to do some running in - I've been shorebound since October!

Tim